Paint-box and support.



R. H COUPER.

PAINT BOX AND SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED J^N.13.|916.

1,212,188, Ptend Jan.16,1917.

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R-. H. COUPEH.

PAINT BOX AND SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. Ia. Isle.

1 ,2 1 2` 1 88. l Patented Jan. 16,'1917.

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PAINT BOX AND SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I8, 1916.

1 ,212, 188. Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

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/m/E/vro ATTORNEY? RICHARD H. COUPER, OF NEWARK, LNE'W JERSEY.

PAINT-BOX ANB SUPPGRT.

Application filed January 18, 1916.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, RICHARD H. CoUrnn, a citizen ot' the United States, and a resident of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new .and useful mproven ents in Paint-Boxes and Supports, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to a paint box and support therefor, and more particularly to o an artists paint box containing a number' ot' different paints mixed for use.

The invention is especially useful for containing paints known as tempera colors which are softened or moistened by water instead of oils by the artist in using the same.

In the use ot certain paints, and particularly the tempera colors, they become dry when moisture is allowed to freely evaporate from the saine, thereby resulting in a considerable waste of paints, or requiring time to again in oisten them into a state fit for use; and one of the objects of my invention is to provide a paint box which will retain the moisture in the exposed paints tor a conside 'able length of time so as to keep the paints in usable condition.

Another object of the invention isl to provide a paint box accommodating a number of different colors kept exposed and separated from each other in convenient position for use by the artist without removing the paints from the paint box, and in the preierred form of the invention, means are provided for accommodating individual paint tubes with the paints therein in suoli position that the paint may be discharged from the container for use without removing the container from the paint box.

A further object of the invention is to provide a paint box of the character described having individual troughs or grooves, preferably arranged in removable trays, the troughs being inclined downwardly when the box is in position for use, and being arranged to receive the paints at one end, and for containing a suitable moistening `Huid such as water, in the case of tempera. paints, at the lower end so that the paints may be moistened by simply tipping up the lower end of the paint box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moisture-containing paint box having a hinged cover with an inner surface serving as a palette for use in painting.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16,1917.

serial No. varco.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for supporting the paint box and v palette cover so that they may be adjusted to any suitable angle for painting and readily assembled for use and knocked down and packed up in compact form for traveling.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like characters oi' reference indicate corresponding parts in all 'the figures, and in which- Figure l shows a side elevation of the paint box and its support, the full lines showing the position of the box in use, and the dotted lines showing its position when tipped up; Fig. 2 is a front view ot the box open and in position for use in painting; Fig. 8 isa cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, lookingvn the direction of the arrow; Fig. iis a longitudinal section of the box taken on line t-i of Fig. 2, but with the cover closed; Fig'. 5 is a reduced perspective view of onev or' the paint-holding trays; Fig. 6 is a detail of the support; and Fig. 7 shows an individual trough of a modiiication.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. l and 2, l is a tripod of any ordinary construction on which is detachably mounted a supporting cross bar 2, the cross bar having a longitudinal slot Sthrough which clamping screws 4 extend into the legs of the tripod for clamping the bar thereto. The ends of the bar are provided withhinges 5 which swing out from the tripod when clamping screws 6 are loosened. The lower ends of the hinges are provided with screws or pins 7 adapted to tit in suitable holes in the ends of the paint box 8.

The paint box is-pretera-bly constructed of metal and is provided with a cover 9 hinged to the lower end of the box at 10. The box is also provided with means for supporting the cover and clamping it in any desired position, said means consisting of links or arms l1 pivoted to the box at 12, and at their other ends having pins 13 slidingly engaging slots 1-1 formed in the sides of the cover. The links 1l are also provided with slots `l5 adapted to coact with clamping screws 16 for clamping the links in any desired position to adjust the position of the cover with respect to that of the box, where Vmay be Vpins 18 are swiveled in the box so that when they are slipped through the latches 17 they given a half turn to lock the latches in place.

r1`he box is provided at its lower side near 'the lower or front edge thereof with any suitable swiveling means 19 such as an opening in the side of the box, in which a hooli carried atthe top of the supporting leg 2O may engage so that the supporting leg will swing perpendicularly therefrom. The supporting leg consists of two adjustable portions provided with a suitable adjusting screw 21 whereby the height of the leg may be varied, in the manner of any tripod leg. It will thus be seen that when the artist wishes to arrange his paint box for painting, he first sets up his tripod and then screws the supporting bar 2 thereto by means of the screws el, whereupon, while the paint box is still closed, helifts it upto the tripod by handle 23 and then inserts the pins 7 of the hinges in the openings in the side of the boxat its upper end, whereupon the clamping screws 6 screwed down to prevent the hinges from moving out to release the pins 7. This being done, the supporting leg` 2O is attached to the lower end of the box and the cover of the box is then unlatched and swung down. The angle of the box and cover is then determined by the artist and the leg 2O adjusted at a height to maintain this angle. Instead of placing the supporting bar on the tripod first and then securing the box thereto, the box mayV first be secured to the supporting bar and the latter then clamped onto the tripod.

The paint box is provided with a plurality of paint troughs 25 (Figs. 2 to 5) adapted to receive different colored paints'in tubes 40, and to contain water or other suitable moistening fluid which is held in position normally away from the paint, but which may be flowed into contact with the paint by tilting the box. In the preferred form of the invention, the box is provided with a plurality of detachable trays 26, 26 each of which is divided from front to rear into a number of parallel troughs. Referring to -Figs 3 to 6, it willibe seen that each tray has a rear inclined wall 27 inclined upwardly and rearwardly, forming an angle with ythe bottom wall 28 of the tray, whereas the front wall 29 of the tray extends upwardly from the bottom almost perpendicularly thereto. The side walls of the trays are vertical and the tops of the side walls preferably run from the upper edge of the front wallV backward to the upper edge of the rear inclined wall, Each tray is provided with a flange 30 extending downwardly from the upper edge of its rear inclined wall into engagement with the bottoni of the box, so that when the tray is resting in the box, the bottom of this llange 30 is in engagement with the bottoni of the box, as aie also the bottom edges of the side walls 31, 31 of the trays. Each tray contains parallel troughs V25, and they may be individual troughs as shown in Fig. 7, placed side by side in the trays; but preferably the trays are divided by suitable partitions 32, and this may be done in any desired manner; but in the preferred form of the invention I make the partitions each of two surfaces 33, 33 inclining downwardly and outwardly from each other from the top of the partition to the botto-in of the tray so as to form troughs of general V-shape in cross-section. In the present form of the invention the dividing or partitioning means consists of a strip of metal suitably corrugated or folded to form the bottoni 3l of the troughs and also the inclined side walls 33, 33 of the partitions, this partitioning strip extending from one side of the tray to the other and extending from the forward wall 29 of the tray to the rear inclined wall or surface 27, to which respective walls it is soldered to make water-tight joints. The forward wall of each trayy is provided with a lateral flange 35 extending from the forward wall rearwardly in the direction of the length of the partitions, and of suificient height to retain, when the paint box is held vertically with its lower edge downward, such an amount of water as would be desirable in the troughs for moistening the paints. In the present form of the invention I have shown the frame of the tray as stamped or bent up from one piece of sheet metal, but it will be understood that if desired, the different walls and flanges of the tray may be made separate and suitably secured together. It will also be understood that instead of having a continuous strip of metal as the partitioning means, individual partitions may be used and soldered to the tray. It will be observed that when the box is in position for use, such as is shown in Fig. l, the rear walls 27 of the trays incline upwardly and rearwardly from the horizontal, while the bottom walls 2S of the trays and likewise the bottoms of the troughs, incline downwardly and forwardly from said inclined rear walls; but `considering the trays with the box laid on its side, it will be observed that the walls 27 and 28 of each tray ineline upwardly and outwardly, forming an obtuse angle between them. The wall 28 is made to incline upwardly from the bottom of the box for the purpose of saving material by reducing the depth of the trough and reducing the angle at which the trough must be tipped to moisten the paints, as will shortly be explained. lt will further be noted that the tops 82 of the partitions extend from the top of the front walls of the trays downwardly and rearwardly, intersecting the rear inclined walls at a con siderable distance below their top edge. This provides a space in each tray along the tops of the rear ends of the partitions'for carrying` brushes, rags, and other artists equipment. rlhe rear inclined wall 2? of each tray which constitutes the rear wall of the troughs, is provided with a series of devices, one in each trough, for securing the individual paint containers in place on the inclined wall, and in the present form of the invention these consist of resilient bands secured to the inclined wall and by means of which 'the individual tubes of paint are held in position with their discharge openings extending downward in position so that when the tube is squeezed the paint from the discharge opening will be deposited upon the bottom of the trough just at the bottom of the inclined wall 27, where it is held above the water at the forward end of the trough, but may be readily moistened by simply tipping up the lower or front end of` thepaint box. rlhe trays are held in position in the paint box by suitable springs 38.

The box in all of its parts throughout is preferably made of metal and enameled so as to retain moisture and if a sponge moistened with water is kept in the box or water left in the trays, the paints deposited in the dierent troughs will remain moist and in condition for use for a considerable length of time.

A box arranged and constructed according to my invention enables an artist to keep an ample amount of each kind of paint deposited in the paint box in position for immediate use with water always available in the troughs for use on the brush or for the purpose of moistening the paints, which may be done by the artist by the use of his left hand in tipping the paint box upward without putting down his brush and without removing his eye from his work. The single upward movement insures all of the paints being simultaneously moistened by reason of the fact that the two trays are arranged at the same angle with respect to the bottom of the paint box. rlhe swinging supporting leg which always maintains its vertical position insures the paint box being supported in substantially the same position each time that the artist lifts and releases it. `When the artist is through painting and desires to pack up his paints, all he has to do is to place his brushes and cloths across the partitions in the trays, release the adjusting screws of the cover and close the box, disconnect the =supporting leg, remove the box from the supporting bar, knock down" the bar and tripod, and everything is ready for traveling. The box may be taken to the studio and left in the condition in which it was packed for a considerable length of time without the paints drying out or becoming mixed one with the other, and it may be opened at anyV time ready for immediate use just as when it was closed. The box is useful for work in the studio as well as for outdoor work,

and besides facilitating the time in packing up and unpacking for painting, it also preserves the paints and thereby greatly reduces the waste of the same.

It will be observed that the artist can at any time replenish his exposed paint in the upper end of any trough by merely reaching up and pressing on the flexible paint tube, causing the paint to be forced out of the discharge opening and deposited in the up per end of the trough. lt will also be noted that the artist is relieved of the necessity of placing caps on the paint tubes and removing them whenever he desires to replenish his paints. l/Vith the tubes carried as shown, they are not subject to being squeezed, and even should they become squeezed accidentally, the paint is only de posited where it is desired and there is no waste.

liVhile l have described in detail the particular form of my invention shown, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications therein may .be made without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, and l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself other than as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is:-

l. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a paint-holding member, partitions dividing said member into a plurality of separate troughs each having a paint-receiving portion in which paint is deposited, and a bottom inclined downwardly therefrom when the member is in position for use in painting, and a watertight end for each trough forming with Y the bottom a water-containing portion, whereby the water is retained in the lower end of the troughs out of contact with the paint but may be caused to iiow in con act with the paint by tilting upwardly the lower end of said member.

2. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a paint-holding member, partitions dividing said member from front to rear into a number' of separate substantially parallel troughs of general V-shaped cross-section, each trough having an upper inclined end wall for supporting individual paint containers with their discharge openings adjacent the bottoms of the troughs and each trough having a bottom inclined downvwardly from the paint-receiving portion when the member is in position for use in painting, and the troughs having water-tight lower end walls forming with the bottoms of the troughs water-containing portions, whereby lthe water is prevented from coming in contact lwith the paint until the lower end of the member is tipped upward to cause the water to flow in contact with the paint.

ln a device of the character described, the combination of a paint-holding member, partitions dividing said member from front to rear into a number of separate substantially parallel troughs of general V- shapedV cross-section, each trough having an upper inclined end wall for supporting individual paint containers with their discharge openings adjacent the bottoms of the troughs, each trough having a paint-receiving portion and a bottom inclined dovn- Vwardly from the paint-receiving portion when the member is in position for use in painting, and the troughs having watertight lower ends forming with the bottoms of the troughs water-containing portions, the troughs having flanges extending from the tops of their lower ends rearward to prevent the 'spilling of water when the member` is held in a vertical position with Y the ends of the troughs downward, whereby the Vwater is prevented from coming in contact with the paint until the lower end of the member is tipped upward to cause the water to flow in contact with the paint.

4. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a paint-holding member having a surface inclining upwardly and rearwardly when the member is in posit-ion for use in painting, for receiving individual paintv containers, partitions eXtending from said inclined surface and dividing the member into a number of individual troughs of general V-shaped cross-section, the troughs having upper paint-receiving portions and bottoms inclined downwardly therefrom when the member is in position for use in painting, and water-tight lower end walls closing the ends of said troughs to form watercontaining lower portions, whereby the water is prevented from coming in contact with the paint until the lower end of the member is tipped upward to cause the water to flow in contact with the paint.

5. In a. device of the character described,

the combination of a paint-holding mem ber having a surface inclining upwardly and rearwardly when the member is in position for use in painting, for receiving individual paint containers, partitions eXtending from said inclined surface and dividing the member into a number of individual troughs, means for securing said paint containers in position on the inclined surface with their discharge openings adjacent the bottoms of the troughs, the troughs having upper paint-receiving portions and bottoms inclined downwardly therefrom when the member is in position for use in painting, and water-tight lower end walls closing the ends of said troughs to form water-containing lower portions, whereby the water is prevented from coming in contact with the paint until the lower end of the member is tipped upward to cause the water to iiow in contact with the paint.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a paint-holding member having a surface inclining upwardly and rearwardly when the member is in position for use in paint-ing, for receiving individual paint containers, partitions eXtend ing from said inclined surface and dividing the member into a number of individual troughs of general V-shaped cross-section, means for securing .said paint containers in position on the inclined surface with their discharge openings adjacent the bottoms of the troughs, the troughs having upper paintreceiving portions and bottoms inclined downwardly therefrom when the member is in position for use in painting, and watertight lower end walls closing the ends of said troughs to form water-containing lower portions, said troughs having flanges eX- tending from their lower ends upward in the direction of their length to prevent the spilling of water when the member is carried vertically with the ends of the troughs downward, whereby the water is prevented from coming in contact with the paint until the lower end of the member is tipped upward to cause the water to flow in contact with the paint.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a paint-holding member having a plurality of paint troughs eX- tending from front to rear, each having a surface at its rear end inclined upwardlyT and rearwardly when the member is in position for use in painting, and each having a lower front end wall, the bottom of each trough being inclined downwardly and forwardly from its rear inclined surface to its front wall when the member is in position for use in painting, whereby paint may be deposited in the upper ends of saidV troughs and water held in the lower ends of the troughs and only brought into contact with the paint when the lower end of the member is tipped upward. Y Y

8. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a paint box, a plurality of trays in said box each being divided into troughs, the troughs having paint-containing portions at one end and bottoms inclining` downwardly from the paint-containing portions when the trays are in position for use in painting, and having front end wails forming water-tight forward end portions for containing water, whereby, when the box is tilted, the water is caused to fiow into contact with the paint.

ln a derice of the character described, the combination of a paint box, a plurality of trays in said box arranged one behind the other from front to rear, each tray being divided from front to rear into troughs, the troughs of each tray having paint-containing portions at their rear ends and bottoms inclining downwardly and forwardly from the paint-containing portions when the trays are in position for use in painting, and having front end walls forming water-tight forward end portions for containing water, and a cover hinged to the forward end of the box and fitting the box when closed to retain moisture, and when open, serving as a painters palette.

l0. 1n a device of the character described, the combination of a paint box, a plurality of removable trays in said box arranged one behind the other from front toy rear, each tray being divided from front to rear into troughs of general V -shape in cross-section, the troughs of each tray having paint-containingT portions at their rear ends and bottoms inclining downwardly and forwardly from the paint-containing portions when the trays are in position for use in painting, and having front end walls forming water-tight forward end portions for containing water.

11.. .ln a device of the character described, the combination of a paint box, a plurality of trays in said box arranged one behind the other from front to rear, each tray having a rear inclined end wall for receiving individual paint containers, means for securing the containers in position on said wall with their discharge ends adjacent the bottom of the inclined wall, each tray being divided from front to rear into troughs of general c -shape in cross-section, the troughs of each tray having paint-containing portions at their rear ends and bottoms inclining downwardly and forwardly from the paint-containing portions when the trays are in position for use in painting,` and ,having front end walls forming water-tight forward end portions for containing water, and each tray having a flange extending from its front end wall rearwardly in the direction of the length of the troughs to prevent the spilling of water when the box is carried -vertically with the lower ends of the trays downward.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of paint box, a plurality of trays in said box arranged one behind the other from front to rear, each tray being divided from front to rear into troughs, the troughs of each tray having paint-containing portions at their rear ends and bottoms inclining downwardly and forwardly from the paint-containing portions when the trays are in position for use in painting, and having front end walls forming water-tight forward end portions for containing water, the bottoms of the troughs of the trays having substantially the same angle of inclination from front to rear, where by the water in the troughs of each tray will be caused to meisten the paint in the different troughs when the forward end of the box is tipped up.

, 13. In a device of the character described, the combination of means for supporting a plurality of paint containers with their discharge ends downward when the device is in position for use in painting, a plurality of paint troughs having their bottoms inclined downwardly and forwardly when in use for painting, and having their upper ends in position to receive paint fromthe containers, and their lower ends closed and adapted to hold water, whereby paint may be deposited in the upper ends of said troughs from the containers and water held in the lower ends of the troughs and only brought into contact with the paint when the lower ends of the troughs are tipped upward.

14. 1n. a device of the character described, the combination of apaint box, a cover for closing same to retain moisture therein, means within the box having a part extending downwardly when Vin position for painting to support a plurality of paint containers, a plurality of paint troughs in the box having their bottoms inclined downwardly and forwardly when in use for painting, and having their upper ends in position to receive paint from the containers, and their lower ends closed and adapted to hold water, whereby paint may be deposited in the upper.: ends of said troughs from the cointainers and water held in the lower ends of the troughs and only brought into contact with the paint when the lower ends of the troughs are tipped upward.

15.` In a device of the character described, the combination of a paint-holding member having a plurality of paint troughs extending from front to rear, said troughs having upper ends adapted to receive paint, and the bottoms of the troughs being inclined downwardly and forwardly when the member is in position for use in painting, and having closed lower ends for holding water, whereby paint may be deposited in the upper ends of said troughs and water held in the lower ends of the troughs and only brought into vContact with the paint when the combination of a paint box with a cover for closing same to'retain moisture, means for supporting a plurality of paint Ycontainers within the box with their discharge .ends downward when the device is in position for use in painting, a plurality of paint troughs extending downward from the containers, and having their upper ends in position to receive paint from the containers, and their lower ends closed and adapted to hold water, whereby paint may be deposited in the upper ends of said troughs from the containers and water held in the lower ends of the troughs and only brought into contact with the paint when the lower ends of the troughs are tipped upward.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination of a paint box with a covei for closing saine to retain moisture, ineans within the box for supporting a plurality of compressible paint containers inclined downwardly and forwardly with their discharge ends down, a plurality oi" paint troughs within the box and having their bottomsV inclined downwardly and forwardly when in use for painting-and having their upper ends in position to receive paint from the containers when the latter are co-inpressed, the lower ends of the troughs being closed and adapted to hold water, whereby paint may be deposited in the upper ends of said troughs by pressing on the containers and water held in the lower ends of the troughs and only brought into Contact with the paint when the lower ends of the troughs are tipped upwardly.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tripod of adetachable paint box support on the tripod, a paint box hinged thereto to be swung Vup and down, a rigid vertical supporting leg for the forward end of the paint box, and ineansswingingly connecting the upper end Y of the leg to the box, whereby the'box may be supported at any:` desired angle of inclination from the tripod when the latter is supported on an uneven surface, and whereby Vthe box will assume substantially the. saine angle of inclination after it has been tilted upward and again lowered.

' 19. In a device of the character'described,

the combination with a tripod of a paint box support on the tripod, a paint box hinged thereto to be swung up and down, a cover hinged to the lower end of the box, hinges and adjustable means for determining the angle at whichfthe cover may be held with respect to the box when opened and for clamping it in said position, a rigid supporting leg for the lower end of the box and the cover, and means for swingingly suspending said leg from the box, whereby the box and cover will assume substantially the saine angle oi inclination afterthe box has been tilted upward and again lowered.

20. In a device or' the character described, the combination with a tripod of a paint box support on the tripod, a paint box hinged thereto to be swung up and down, a`

plurality of removable paint trays in said box arranged one behind the other andhaving individual paint troughs, a cover hinged to the lower end of the box, hinges and ad- -instable means for determining the angle at which the cover may beheld with respect tothe box when opened and for clamping it in said position, a rigid supporting leg for the lower end of the box and the cover,

and means for swineingl f sus aendinGsaid o b f3 leg from the box, whereby the box and cover will assume substantially the saine angle o1" inclination after the box has been tilted upward and again lowered.

21. Inv a. device of the character described, the combination with a tripod or a supporting bar, ineans for detachably securing the same in position on the tripod, hinges mounted on the ends-of the bar, means for locking said hinges in position on the bar, a paint'box, means for detachably swiveling said paint box to said hinO'es so that the paint box may be swung up and down supported from the hinges, a cover for the box, hinges connecting the cover with the box, a supporting leg for the lower end Vof the box and cover, and means for swing- RICHARD H. COUPER.

.Copies of this patent may be obtained for -ve cents each, by addressing the` Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. U. 

